I find myself in a rather odd position, trying to clarify a point of their beliefs that I wholly disagree with, but I’ll try again, and then be done with it.
I agree that it is incorrect, but I suppose they would argue that Michael is not a created being, if in fact they read him as a theophany. I also thought immediately thought of Jude 1:9 when I learned of that particular interpretation, and I agree that the Archangel is not the Savior. Scripture, to me, is absolutely obvious and clear on this point, and I believe any belief that confuses the two likely does so to force some particulars in an erroneous predetermined eschatology.
That said, one could use your same argument of confounding angels and Jesus as evidence of a cult against the rather common interpretation that the Angel of the LORD in the Old Testament is a Theophany. You need not agree with the Angel of the LORD being an embodiment of the Lord himself, but it is a view shared by many mainline protestants. Perhaps I am being too generous with the analogy here, but I just wouldn’t severe fellowship over this particular point.
My posting on this matter is simply that, politics aside, we have an obligation to respect other brothers and sisters in Christ. I believe that SDAs, heterodox though they are in many articles of their faith, are Christians if they, believing in the Triune God, accept redemption and justification on the basis of faith in the finished work of the incarnate (fully God and fully human) Second Person of the Trinity. As such, we need to be more careful in the way that we reprove them. Just asking for grace here in our dealings with other Christians.
I honestly hope you have a pleasant evening and weekend. God bless.
I guess the reason that I find it so offensive is that I remember Paul’s warning. “If I or an angel from heaven comes to you preaching another Jesus other than the one I have preached , let him be accursed.” I see this teaching as “another Jesus”. The entire Church is built on the Rock of the Revelation of Who Jesus is. Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Who do you say that I Am?”. and “Upon This Rock I build My Church”.
I have enjoyed your comments and views.
God Bless and Keep you!